Hypnotic Eye - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers [Warner Bros] - I'm sitting here looking at the album cover, trying to think of a song from the album, an album I own and have heard at least three times. I can't. That's not to say it's a bad album. It's a good album that has the signature sounds of the Heartbreakers. But I keep waiting for that 'wow' moment, and it never comes. Props to TP for getting it done at 64, and they're one of my all-time favorites. I'm glad to see them chugging along with new material, but they don't seem to be taking any chances. Fellow reviewer Jim Bates has told me he was similarly unimpressed, but rates it better than 2010's "Mojo". I disagree, as I think that prior album had some sharp turns. "Hypnotic Eye" keeps you on the straightaway. It's a good ride, but your hoping for a detour.

and now…some wisdom from guest reviewer Jim Bates!

The Black Crowes Alumni Report

The Black Crowes have become an odd band in the new millennium. Touring on and off since reforming in 2005, they release new material in dribs and drabs. Only two albums of new material have hit the record store since the end of their first hiatus; they appear uninterested in the usual studio album and tour cycle. In 2013, they hit the road with only a live album download and LP release to promote. It almost smack of a band lacking anything new to say, but that isn’t the case, as the members’ side projects clearly illustrate.

So what are the Black Crowes alumni doing in 2014? Read on dear reader... (I am sad to say I have no Sven Pipien news to report. I hope we won’t find him filling burgers at some Atlanta McDonalds.)

Trigger Hippy – Steve Gorman

Trigger Hippy is the new side project of drummer Steve Gorman and touring guitar player Jackie Greene. Also featuring guitarist Tom Bukovac and bassist Nick Govrik, the band’s secret weapon is vocalist Joan Osborne. An eleven-song set covers all the bases of R&B, soul, country rock, funk, blues...you know, the usual rock and roll stuff… The band really gets cooking on a few of the tracks, including “Turpentine,” “Cave Hill Cemetery” and “Nothing New.” Jackie and Joan share a couple of nice ballads, “Pretty Mess” being the standout. (Just as an FYI, the funky “Pocahontas” does not reference either Marlon Brando, the Aurora Borealis or the Astrodome). As always, Gorman is the man, but what I took away from this album is a reminder of how much I enjoy listening to Joan Osborne.

The Ceaseless Sign - Rich Robinson

Wow, Rich Robinson just made the best Keith Richards solo album ever. From the Stonesy “I Know You” opener, this is the most Black Crowes-esque of al of the albums mentioned here (And “The Unfortunate Show” might even be a better Stones style rocker). But it isn’t all riffs, just good roots rock. “In Comes the Night” reminds me of the '80s. “The Giving Key” is the kind of swaggery ballad you don’t hear much anymore. “One Road Hill” is a pretty acoustic sing along, and it is hard to classify the drum-based “Trial and Faith.” Rich continues to mature as a singer and his singing is no longer cringeworthy. Add to that some well-done lyrics, and Mr. Robinson has hit another solo album home run in a row after a shaky first effort.

Get the LP release because you get some bonus instrumentals on side four, some neat looking coloured vinyl and a copy of the CD to listen to in the car. Sweet.

Phosphorescent Harvest - Chris Robinson Brotherhood

Everyone’s favorite jam band - the Brotherhood - are back and spacier than ever. “Shore Power” opens this album with Adam MacDougall’s space keyboards once again on full display and a big New York City breakdown. It, along with “Meanwhile in the Gods...” and “Jump the Turnstiles,” are the only upbeat rockers. The rest of the album is slower and trippier, with “Clear Blue Skies & The Good Doctor” almost entering ELO territory. I was excited to see the Black Crowes’ lost classic, “Tornado,” recast into a full band track. “Help yourself to some of my disaster...” The closing track on the CD- “Burn Slow”- might be the best review possible of this album (oh, and the track itself isn’t bad either...think Crazy Horse on serious downers).

The LP release includes two bonus tracks...the electronic instrumental “Humboldt Windchimes” and “Star Crossed Lonely Sailor” which should have been included on the album itself. That is the good news; the bad news is how it sounds. Something went wrong at the pressing plant that day...snap, crackle, and pop! I’ve heard LPs sound better after warping in the sun...Glad they included a free download code!

The CRB is better live, and the song on this album are, too, but this is the closest they have come to putting their live sound down on tape. My understanding is that they worked on this album for quite a while and it shows. Can’t wait to hear what the next album sounds like.

Holy Ghost - Marc Ford

Who expected this? Guitar-slinger Marc Ford doing a mostly acoustic Americana album? The results are pretty damn good. Sure, there isn’t much electric guitar and Marc never really lets loose, but he has some good songs here. His lyrics have improved, but still occasionally fall into cliché. “I once had a problem as big as a truck, I was running on empty, shit out of luck” from “Dream #26,” for example. However, the same song does have a nice chorus - “Easy like Sunday with the Reverend Al Green.” The songs work with Marc’s vocals, and while this isn’t the kind of album that will change rock and roll, it is an enjoyable listen with a strong spiritual undercurrent. It makes me wonder if this is the kind of album Eric Clapton wishes he had made in the '90s.

Released two days before his 80th birthday, Mr. Cohen seems to have overcome the mortality dilemma he was facing in “Old Ideas,” and takes on well, “popular problems” for his latest album.

He starts off reminding us that, yeah, he’s got his way of doing things, and gives us great rhyme and rhythm with “Slow.” That said, he’s rather prolific for his age, giving us his second album in as many years. You don’t get that from many pop artists or even today’s Top 40 folks.

“Almost Like The Blues” is the first single release from the album and takes on the theme of the record’s title. “There is no God in heaven / there is no Hell below / so says the great professor of all there is to know. / But I’ve had the invitation / that a sinner can’t refuse / It’s almost like salvation / It’s almost like the blues,” is the most profound lyric of the song and suggests themes like “Jesus only loves a man who loses,” and asks why do bad things happen in the world.

He also addresses regular relationship troubles in “Did I Ever Love You” and “A Street.”

Not a single miss on this album, and in spite of it’s bummer of a theme, I find it more relatable and upbeat than “Old Ideas.” I’ll catch myself listening to this one many more times.

Standout tracks include: “Samson In New Orleans,” “A Street,” “Nevermind,” and “You Got Me Singing,” which provides a call back to his classic “Hallelujah.”

P. S. It really is a great album, but I joked about the album art not being one of the “problems.”

Other recent great purchases:

Scott Walker and Sunn(O))) - “Soused”: Nightmare music and a song about Marlon Brando

Prince - “Art Official Age”: Experimental and overproduced, but good to see him back

Prince & 3RDEYEGIRL - “Plectrumelectrum”: Rock and roll with a little R&B inside. Fantastic album!!! One of my favorites from The Artist.